Hello i am new to revolvers and this happens to be my first post so please bare with me. I just picked up what I think is a 5 screw k frame pre model 10 military and police 38spl but I'm not sure. Do I measure from the cylinder to end of barrel or does measurements start at end of frame to get barrel length???? S/n number is 512469 any information on date and value would be awsome thanks
Need to identify
- Thread starter Jc10190
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Welcome to the forum.
Measure from the front of the cylinder so the threaded portion of the barrel is included.
Since its serial number starts with a V most would call it a Victory. Its barrel was shortened so much that it lost the front barrel latch and it was refinished with nickel or chrome plating. Consequently its value is much lower than a well preserved unaltered WW II revolver.
Measure from the front of the cylinder so the threaded portion of the barrel is included.
Since its serial number starts with a V most would call it a Victory. Its barrel was shortened so much that it lost the front barrel latch and it was refinished with nickel or chrome plating. Consequently its value is much lower than a well preserved unaltered WW II revolver.
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Welcome to the forum k22fan has gave you good information. What you have is a Smith & wesson British lend lease Military and Police from WW2 these were originaly chambered in 38 S&W after the war they were sold chopped down, rechambered to 38 special then chrome plated. Here is a well worn original.
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Yes the V is part of the serial number. These don't hold too much value $200 at best and to most not even that much...sorry.
OFT II
US Veteran
Lee Harvey Oswald used s/n 510210 to kill Officer Tippit in 1963. It had the same chop job that the one in question does.
ParadiseRoad
Member
...a post war ad for these cut down surplus revolvers...
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Absalom
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Except that his wasn't refinished, which is actually less common than what was done to yours. After the war (mostly late 1950s) these were reimported from Britain for pennies and not seen as collectibles at all. To make them attractive to US shooters, many were converted from .38 S&W to .38 Special, had the barrel shortened, were nickel-plated and fitted with Franzite fake-stag grips, to end up like yours; it's pretty much a "classic" conversion, but as was said, not valued much today.
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Welcome to the forum from Pennsylvania!
Although not in original condition, to some it is desirable as a classic modification.
Although not in original condition, to some it is desirable as a classic modification.
Some might think my statement (to follow) to be nitpicking, but we really need to be more careful, considering all the ridiculous accusations being thrown around currently in the "news" media.
It would be much more accurate to say that Lee Oswald "is alleged to have killed" Officer Jason Tippit with a chopped BSR. Oswald did not live long enough to be indicted, let alone tried and convicted. Hence, he stood accused. Under the law, he cannot be said to have done it, short of a trial and conviction.
To be clear, I'm not saying he wasn't guilty. I just don't think we should make the unqualified statement that he was under these circumstances. To do so starts us down a long and dangerous path.
